Introduction to Kia Mexico and the Program
Kia Mexico, a prominent automotive company in Monterrey, Nuevo León, has successfully concluded the second generation of its “Kia STEM: Inspiring the Future” program. This initiative is a collaboration with makesense americas, an international organization specializing in designing socially and environmentally impactful programs.
Program Objectives
The primary goal of this program is to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields among children, adolescents, and young adults. Simultaneously, it aims to foster academic excellence and develop crucial skills necessary to tackle future challenges.
Program Activities and Impact
Throughout the program, students engaged in formative activities and practical tools that enhanced their ability to apply acquired knowledge in daily life and their surroundings. They learned about Design Thinking, a methodology that enabled them to swiftly identify problems and make more effective decisions.
In the second generation, over 300 secondary school students participated through virtual sessions. A key requirement was to develop community improvement proposals within their environment, applying STEM methodologies to address these issues. Out of these participants, 150 students had the opportunity to attend in-person sessions at the Kia Mexico plant, gaining firsthand knowledge of production processes.
A select group of 20 students showcased innovative initiatives, including the implementation of green areas with automated irrigation systems, recycling and material reuse projects, and safety proposals to prevent and control fire spread.
Mentorship and Kia Mexico’s Commitment
More than 10 Kia Mexico professionals served as mentors, contributing their time and expertise to guide the participants through the creative and execution processes.
“Through this program, Kia Mexico reaffirms its commitment to the education and professional development of young individuals, preparing them to become change agents and future leaders. Our aim is to create an environment where young people can fully embrace a world of opportunities, inspired to transform their surroundings with creativity and leadership,” Kia Mexico stated in a press release.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the “Kia STEM: Inspiring the Future” program? It’s a collaborative initiative by Kia Mexico and makesense americas, designed to spark interest in STEM fields among young people while fostering academic excellence and essential skills for future challenges.
- Who were the program’s participants? Over 300 secondary school students participated in virtual sessions, with 150 attending in-person sessions at the Kia Mexico plant.
- What skills did students learn through the program? Students learned Design Thinking, a methodology that helps identify problems and make effective decisions. They also gained practical knowledge applicable to daily life and their surroundings.
- What innovative projects did students present? Students showcased initiatives such as green areas with automated irrigation, recycling and material reuse projects, and safety proposals to prevent fire spread.
- How many Kia Mexico professionals participated as mentors? More than 10 Kia Mexico professionals served as mentors, guiding students through the creative and execution processes.
- What is Kia Mexico’s commitment to the community? Kia Mexico aims to support the education and professional development of young individuals, preparing them to become change agents and future leaders.
